Whole grains are healthy for you, but only when they're intact in your meal. Dr. Darya Pino of Summer Tomato says that with pasta, the more the grain has been processed, the fewer health benefits you get, even if it's marketed as "whole grain."

For example, whole grain rice is definitely better for you than white rice, but because pasta is processed when made, the health benefits from so-called "whole grain" pasta may actually be very small, especially in comparison to non-processed grains.

In essence, if you're spending more on whole grain pasta because you think you're getting serious health benefits, don't waste your money. Instead, focus on portion control and how much pasta you eat. If you're that concerned about healthy pasta dishes, just add more vegetables to the meal. Photo by Dottie Mae.